Frodo Report post Posted September 16, 2019 I am looking at a can of Early American Minwax wood stain [oil based] and wondering if it can be used on leather. I did a small practice swatch and the color is just fine Is it OK to use wood stain on leather? I mean,,years ago I do not think the elders had bottles of Fiebing sitting on the shelf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted September 16, 2019 Interesting question! Following.... The only drawback I can think of is the wood stain might contain chemicals that are irritating to human skin, and most leather items do touch our skin at some point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted September 16, 2019 59 minutes ago, Frodo said: I am looking at a can of Early American Minwax wood stain [oil based] and wondering if it can be used on leather. I did a small practice swatch and the color is just fine Is it OK to use wood stain on leather? Yes, but be aware that the dye will severely dry out the leather and cause it to shrink. Maybe treat with NFO first, then the dye 59 minutes ago, Frodo said: I mean,,years ago I do not think the elders had bottles of Fiebing sitting on the shelf No, but then they didn't have wood dyes either. Leather dye was made of natural things and could be bought commercially as far back as the mid 1700s 33 minutes ago, Sheilajeanne said: Interesting question! Following.... The only drawback I can think of is the wood stain might contain chemicals that are irritating to human skin, and most leather items do touch our skin at some point. Once dry the wood stain is better than wood paints in that respect. Unless you chew on the wood you'll not get anything out of dried wood stain. These days oil and spirit wood dyes are used all round us ~ to recolour woods to look like other types, to just colour furniture legs and frames, et cetera Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted September 16, 2019 12 minutes ago, fredk said: Yes, but be aware that the dye will severely dry out the leather and cause it to shrink. Maybe treat with NFO first, then the dye excuse my ignorant's. what does NFO stand for? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted September 16, 2019 11 minutes ago, Frodo said: excuse my ignorant's. what does NFO stand for? sorry, NFO = Neatsfoot Oil. Should be NO really, but NFO is better. Neat or Neet is Old English [pre-Shakespeare] for cattle. Its made from the oils in the hooves and lower legs of cattle On this forum we recommend using PURE Neatsfoot Oil and not COMPOUND as the Compound contains petroleum products to which some people and animals will have an adverse reaction Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YinTx Report post Posted September 16, 2019 There was a thread somewhere on this forum where an individual used wood stain on his leather successfully. Not sure the long term outcome. But anyhow, you wouldn't be the first to use it. YinTx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted September 16, 2019 I think if this stays here long enough, . . . someone will chime in with "You can also use coffee to stain leather, . . . don't ask me how I know". May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo Report post Posted September 16, 2019 32 minutes ago, Dwight said: I think if this stays here long enough, . . . someone will chime in with "You can also use coffee to stain leather, . . . don't ask me how I know". May God bless, Dwight tobacco juice has a nice brown hue Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ABHandmade Report post Posted September 16, 2019 I used spirit-based wood stain before and use it in some projects now. It works pretty well. The only thing - unlike spirit dyes for the leather, which I mainly use now, stain (at least the one that is available to me) does not contain additives to protect against UV. Therefore, some of my old projects are slightly "tanned". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted September 16, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Dwight said: I think if this stays here long enough, . . . someone will chime in with "You can also use coffee to stain leather, . . . don't ask me how I know". May God bless, Dwight Tea as well, does a nice colour Edited September 16, 2019 by fredk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wizard of tragacanth Report post Posted September 17, 2019 (edited) Around 40 years ago, I dyed a white cotton T-shirt, using Black Tea, and called it my Tea-Shirt. It was a private joke. Still is. nick Edited September 17, 2019 by wizard of tragacanth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted September 17, 2019 I am a member of a FB group called Callahan's Crosstime Saloon. Spider Robinson fans will understand When someone makes a really bad joke like that, we throw peanuts at 'em... 8888888888888888888 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
